9 December 1999 and with the participation of the new
Chairman of the Management Board (from 1 January 2000), Kees
Zoeteman

The Agenda included a review of challenges the
Agency is facing, the EEA ongoing work, cooperation with EC Services
and presentation of recent developments.

The Commissioner offered to consider ways to
reinforce EEA contribution and to make EEA work more visible and
relevant, including:

Giving political
perspective to EEA work programmes on the basis of an EC
programme for 5 years, including priorities to be served by timely EEA
input.

Establishing some (2 to 4) public hearings
to take stock of progress in specific areas and related to Community
legislation. Air Quality and Water (Drinking Water. Waste Water
Treatment) were mentioned. The EEA should contribute with specific
assessment (This should reinforce EEA support to
implementation.).

Analysing the Environment Quality Health
issue, as to the kind of approach and related information to be
developed by EEA required (As an example of "prior consultation"
process).

The possible delivery of specific report on
progress on key issues (i.e. GHG emissions) at the occasion of
Environment Councils.

The reinforcement of a Community Information
and Communication Strategy

Other topics of interest for the
Commissioner included the EEA support to: